Herons

19th July 202016th August 2025 By Simon

Words for heron and related creatures in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	korxsā / korxsiyos = heron, crane
Celtiberian	*cárcia = heron
Gaulish	curcio- = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge)	corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg)	coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish	cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerghydh = heron
Old Breton	corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kercʼheiz [kɛrˈɣɛjs] = heron

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreik- / *(s)kreig- (to screech, creak), which is imitative in origin [source]. Words for heron in Galician & Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça), probably come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Words from the same PIE root may include reiger (heron) in Dutch, Reiher (heron) in German, häger (heron) in Swedish, heron and egret in English, and haikara (heron, stork) in Finnish [source].

Gaulish	crehyr = heron
Proto-Brythonic	*krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crehyr, creir, cr(e)yr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	querhair = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*garanos = crane
Gaulish	garanus = crane
Proto-Brythonic	*garan = crane, heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	caran, garan = crane, heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	garan [ˈɡaran] = crane, heron
Old Cornish	garan = crane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	garan = crane
Cornish (Kernewek)	garan = crane
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	garan = crane
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan = crane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garan [ˈɡɑː.rãn] = crane (bird, tool), groove, gallery garanadur = grooving garanan = to groove

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gérh₂n-o-s, from *gerh₂- (crane, to cry hoarsely) [source]. Words from the same roots include crack, croon, crow and possibly grouse in English, kraai (crow) in Dutch, Krähe (crow) in German [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Cockerels / Roosters

21st June 202014th June 2022 By Simon

Words for cockerel / rooster in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kalyākos = cockerel, rooster
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cailech [ˈkalʲex] = cockerel, rooster
Irish (Gaeilge)	coileach [ˈkalʲex / ˈkɛlʲəx / ˈkɛlʲax] = cockerel, rooster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	coileach [ˈkɤləx] = cockerel, rooster; male bird of any species; male lobster; coilich = cockerels, etc; eddies, rapids, white water
Manx (Gaelg)	kellagh = cock(erel), cock (of anchor), rooster, cock bird
Proto-Brythonic	*kėljọg [ke̝lˈjɔːɡ] = cockerel, rooster
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keylyauc, keilyawc = cockerel, rooster
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceiliog [ˈkei̯ljɔɡ / ˈkei̯ljɔɡ] = cock(erel); plucky person; weather-cock; cock of gun; water-cock; clevis of a plough, plough-cock; snack taken by quarrymen to their work
Old Cornish	chelioc = cockerel, rooster
Middle Cornish	kullyek = cockerel, rooster
Cornish (Kernewek)	kulyek = cockerel, rooster
Middle Breton	kilhog = cockerel, rooster
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kilhog [ˈkiljok] = cockerel, rooster

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kerkos [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Hens & Chickens

16th June 202019th June 2023 By Simon

Words for hen, chicken and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*kerkā = hen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Irish (Gaeilge)	cearc [kaɾˠk] = hen, female bird cearcach = gallinaceous (relating to, or resembling the domestic fowl)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cearc [kʲɛrxg] = hen, chicken; poultry; female crab or lobster cearc-uisge = moorhen cearc-Fhrangach = turkey cearc-fhraoich = female red grouse, moorhen cearcach = of, or belonging to a hen or hens
Manx (Gaelg)	kiark = fowl, hen, hen bird, female bird kiark

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱer- (to grow, nourish) [source]. These words are possibly related to words for heron and crane in Celtic languages.

English words from the same root include cereal, create, increase, creature, crew and crescent [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yarā = chicken
Gaulish	Iaros = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eirín = pullet, young hen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	eréne, éirín(e) = chicken, chick, pullet
Irish (Gaeilge)	eireog = pullet, chicken; young girl, tiny woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eireag [erʲag] = pullet, young chick(en) (between 8 months and 1 year old)
Manx (Gaelg)	earrag = pullet, poult
Old Welsh	iar = hen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yar = hen yeyr, yeir = domestic fowls, chickens yares = flock of chichens ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iâr [jaːr] = hen, hen-bird ieir = domestic fowls, chickens iarbren = perch for hens, hen-roost iardy, ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop iares = flock of chichens iargyw = chichen, young fowl ieirwr = poulterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iar, yar = hen, female bird
Cornish (Kernewek)	yar = chicken, hen yar frankres = free-range hen yar gowellys = battery hen yar Gyni = turkey bregh/brygh yar = chicken pox yarji = chichen coop, hen house
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yar, iar = chicken, hen
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yar = chicken, hen

Etymology: unknown

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Hound Dogs

28th May 202022nd May 2022 By Simon

Words for dog in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kū = dog, wolf
Gaulish	cuna = dog
Primitive Irish	ᚉᚒᚅᚐ (cuna) = hound, wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cú [kuː] = dog
Irish (Gaeilge)	cú [kuː] = dog, hound, greyhound; wolf; hero, champion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cù [kuː] = dog, canine
Manx (Gaelg)	coo [kuː] = dog, cur, hound, wolf-dog
Proto-Brythonic	ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ci / ki = dog
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ci [kiː] = dog, hound, cur
Old Cornish	ci = dog
Cornish (Kernewek)	ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Breton	ci / qui = dog
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ki [kiː] = dog

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog), which is also the root of the English words hound and canine [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	madrad, matrad = dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	matad = common dog, cur
Irish (Gaeilge)	madra [ˈmˠad̪ˠɾˠə] / madadh [ˈmˠad̪ˠə / ˈmˠad̪ˠu] = dog, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	madadh [madəɣ] = dog, mastiff
Manx (Gaelg)	moddey [ˈmɔːðə] = dog, tyke
Welsh (Cymraeg)	madyn / madog = fox

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gagar [ɡaɣər] = beagle, hunting dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gadar = beagle, hunting dog
Irish (Gaeilge)	gadhar [ɡəiɾˠ] = (hunting) dog, harrier, beagle, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gadhar [gɤ.ər] = lurcher, mastiff, greyhound

Etymology: from the Old Norse gagarr [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kulēnos = whelp
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuilén [ˈkulʲeːn] = puppy, cub, kitten
Irish (Gaeilge)	coiléan [kɪˈlʲaːn̪ˠ] = pup, cub, whelp; youth, scion; trickster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuilean [kulan] = puppy, whelp; cub; seal pup; darling, dear; short/small bone
Manx (Gaelg)	quallian = puppy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	colwyn [kiː] = whelp, puppy, cub; lap-dog; spaniel
Old Cornish	coloin = puppy
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolen [ˈkɔlɪn] = puppy, cub
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kolen = puppy, fawn, rabbit

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Irish (Gaeilge)	cana [ˈkanˠə] = cub, whelp; bardic poet of fourth order
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cana [kanə] = puppy, whelp
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cenau / cenaw = cub, whelp, puppy, kitten; son, descendant, scion, young warrior; knave, imp, rascal; catkin, cat’s tail

Etymology: possibly from the Latin canis (dog), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog) [source], or from the Proto-Celtic *kanawo (young animal).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Ants

16th May 202021st March 2024 By Simon

Words for ant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sengán = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sengán, seangan = ant
Irish (Gaeilge)	seangán = ant seangánach = full of ants nead seangán = anthill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seangan [ʃɛŋgan] = ant, mean fellow seangan ‘nad bhriogais = to be fidgety, have the jtters (ants in your breeches) seangananach [ʃɛŋganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in small ants
Manx (Gaelg)	sniengan = ant snienganagh = ant-infested, formic crongan sniengan = anthill

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish seng (thin, slender. meagre) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*morwis = ant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moirb [morʲvʲ] = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moirb = ant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myr = ant myrion = ants morgrug, morcrug = ants morgrugyn, morcrugyon = ant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mŷr, myrr [mɨːr/miːr] = ant myrion = ants myrdwyn = anthill morgrug [ˈmɔrɡrɨ̞ɡ / ˈmɔrɡrɪɡ] = ants (from mŷr [ant] and crug [hill]) morgrugyn = ant morgrugaidd, morgrugol = ant-like pertaining to ants, formic
Old Cornish	menƿionen = ant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menwionen, meuwionen = ant, emmet
Cornish (Kernewek)	moryonen = ant, tourists moryoner = anteater
Old Breton	moriuon = ant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meryen = ant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merien [ˈmɛr.jɛn] = ants merionenn = ant merionaer = anteater merieneg [mɛ.ˈrjẽː.nɛk] = anthill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morwi- (ant). Words from the same roots include formic (pertaining to ants) and pismire (ant – archaic) in English, fourmi (ant) in French, mier (ant) in Dutch, maur (ant) in Icelandic and myra (ant) in Swedish [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Mice

3rd May 202022nd May 2022 By Simon

Words for mice in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lukoss = mouse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	luch [l͈ux] = mouse, rat
Irish (Gaeilge)	luch [l̪ˠʊx / l̪ˠɔx / l̪ˠʌx] = mouse luchóg = mouse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luch [l̪ˠux] = mouse
Manx (Gaelg)	lugh [ɫɔx] = mouse
Proto-Brythonic	llug = mouse llugod = mice
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleyc = shrew, shrewmouse, (field) mouse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyg = shrew, shrewmouse, (field) mouse llygod [ˈɬəɡɔd] = mice, rats, shrews, voles llygoden = mouse, rat, shrew, vole
Middle Cornish	logoden, logosan = mouse
Cornish (Kernewek)	logos = mice logosen / logojen = mouse
Old Breton	loc = mouse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	logod = mice, yarn balls, meatballs, varicose veins logodenn = mouse

Etymology: unknown, most likely from a non-Indo-European substrate language – only found in Celtic languages [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Field Mouse’s Delight / Llawenydd Llygoden y Coed:

Simon Ager · The Field Mouse’s Delight / Llawenydd Llygoden y Coed

Squirrels

22nd April 202022nd May 2022 By Simon

Words for squirrel in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wiweros = squirrel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íaru = squirrel
Irish (Gaeilge)	iora = squirrel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feòrag [fjɔːrag] = squirrel
Manx (Gaelg)	fiorag = squirrel
Proto-Brythonic	gwɨwer = squirrel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwiwair, gwiweir = squirrel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwiwer [ˈɡwɪu̯.ɛr / ˈɡwɪu̯.ar] = squirrel
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwiwer = squirrel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwiñver = squirrel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wer- (squirrel, stoat) [source].

In Manx a squirrel is also a roddan biljagh (“tree rat”).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Scampering Squirrels / Y Gwiwerod sy’n Prancio:

Simon Ager · The Scampering Squirrels / Y Gwiwerod sy’n Prancio

Deer

7th April 20209th November 2025 By Simon

Words for deer in Celtic languages. There were several different words for deer in Proto-Celtic: *wēdus, *karwos, *ellan(t)ī-, *danī- and *yorkos, and also *sidos (stag). They may have referred to different types of deer, but it is not certain which types, apart from *yorkos, which is a roe deer.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdus [ˈweː.dus] = wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wild animals, game, especially deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fíad, fiad = wild animals, game, esp. deer fíadamail = deer-like, wild, uncultivated
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiə] = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = deer fiadhach [iə.əx] = deer hunting, venision, wildness, wilderness fiadhachadh = deer hunting
Manx (Gaelg)	feeaih, feeaïh = deer, hart feeaihagh = deer hunting feeaihaght = deer hunt

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karwos = deer, stag
Gaulish	*caruus, carvos, caruos** = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carbh = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cairrḟiad, cairrfiadh = stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	carria / cairrfhiadh = deer, stag
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cair-fhiadh / carbh-fheadh = hart, stag
Manx (Gaelg)	çharroo, charroo = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*karw = deer, stag
Old Welsh	*caru = deer
Middle Welsh (kymraec)	caru, carv, keyru, carw, karw = deer, hart, stag carwaidd = having the attributes of a stag, pertaining to a stag, noble, wise carwnaid, karwnaid = stag’s leap, a great leap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carw [ˈkaru / ˈkaːru] = deer, hart, stag; lord, nobleman, patron carw coch / carw rhudd = red deer, stag carw Llychlyn = reindeer carwfarch = camel, elephant carwfil = stag, camel
Old Cornish	caruu = stag
Middle Cornish	carow = stag
Cornish (Kernewek)	karow = stag, buck, hart, stag karow ergh = caribou, reindeer karow rudh = red deer
Middle Breton	caro, carv, caru = deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karv [ˈkarw / ˈkɑːro] = deer, roe deer, red deer karv-erc’h = caribou, reindeer karvez = doe karvig = fawn karvken = deer hide

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (horn) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sidos = stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séd = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ség, ség, sedh = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hit, hyd, hed, hydd = stag, hart hyddgarw, hawddgar = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hydgen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hydd = stag, hart hyddaidd = having the attributes of a stag, cervine hyddgarw = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hyddgroen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound hyddgig = venison
Cornish (Kernewek)	hedh = buck, hart, stag
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hed = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heizes, eizec = doe, hind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heizez = doe, hind heizezig = darling

Etymology: uncertain

Proto-Celtic	ellan(t)ī- / agliones = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ag [aɣ] = bullock, cow, ox, deer, stag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ag, agh = cow, ox, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	agh = cow, ox agh alla = deer agh dára = cow, ox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	agh [ɤɣ] = heifer, hind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eilon, eilion = deer, hart, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eil(i)on = deer, hart, stag

Etymology: possible from the same root as the English word eland (a type of antelope found in South Africa), which from the Dutch eland (elk), from the Old High German elent.

Proto-Celtic	*ou̯ījkā = ?
Gaulish	cerua = ?
Old Welsh	eguic = hind, deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eguic, euic, euychet, euchyc, ewic, ewig = deer, hart, stag ewigaidd = pertaining to hind(s), hind-like
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewig = hind, doe, roe; graceful light-footed woman; deer, hart ewigfa = deer-park
Old Cornish	euhic = hind, deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewic, euhic, ewig = hind, deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewik = deer, doe, hind ewik ergh = caribou, reindeer ewik gowr = elk, moose ewik rudh = red deer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ówis (sheep) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*yorkos = roebuck, deer
Gaulish	iorkos, iorcos = deer
Proto-Brythonic	*jorx = deer, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iwrch [jʊrχ] = roe-deer, roebuck
Old Cornish	yorch = roe-deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iorch, yorch = roe buck iorches = roe deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	yorgh = roe deer yorghes = (female) roe deer
Old Breton	iorch = roe deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yourch = roe deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yourc’h [ˈjurx] = roe deer, venison, intrepid boy, wild yourc’hez = (female) roe deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *york- (antelope, gazelle) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*danī- = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	danys, danas = deer, fallow deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danas, danys, daenas [ˈdanas] = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dem = deer, fallow deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	demm = deer, fallow deer

Etymology: related to the French daim (hind, doe), from the Latin dāma (fallow deer, buck, doe) [source]

Cats

24th March 202022nd May 2022 By Simon

Words for cat in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kattā = cat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cath = cat
Irish (Gaeilge)	cat = cat cat fireann = tomcat piscín = kitten
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cat [kahd] = cat cat fireann / moth-chat / cullach-cait = tomcat, bossy child baircne = female cat, white cat piseag [piʃag] = kitten
Manx (Gaelg)	kayt = feline, cat, puss kayt firryn = tomcat pishin / pishanagh = kitten
Proto-Brythonic	*kaθ = cat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cath, kath = cat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cath [kaθ] = cat, wild cat cwrcath / gwrcath / cwrcyn = tomcat cath fenyw = queen, female cat cath fach = kitten
Old Cornish	kat = cat
Middle Cornish	cath = cat
Cornish (Kernewek)	kath [kaːθ / kæːθ] = cat kathik = kitten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kazh [ˈkɑːs] = cat, tomcat kazheg [ˈkɑː.zes] = queen, female cat kazhig [ˈkɑː.zik] = kitten

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bears

18th March 2020 By Simon

Words for bear in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*artos = bear
Noric	*𐌀𐌓𐌕𐌄(𐌁𐌖𐌈𐌆) (Arte(budz)) = bear(?)
Gaulish	*artio = bear
Old Irish (Goídelc)	art [ar͈t] = bear, hero, warrior
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	art [ar̪ˠʃd] = bear (archaic), hero
Proto-Brythonic	*arθ [arθ] = bear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	arth [arθ] = bear
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arth [arθ] = bear, fierce or rough person
Cornish (Kernewek)	arth [ɒɹθ] = bear
Old Breton	ard / arth = bear
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arzh = bear

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ŕ̥tḱos (bear) [Source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ursa [ur̪ˠsə] = bear
Cornish (Kernewek)	ors = bear
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ourz = ourz

Etymology: possibly from the Latin ursa (she-bear), from ursus (bear), from the Proto-Italic *orssos (bear), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ŕ̥tḱos (bear) [Source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mathgamain [ˈmaθɣəṽənʲ] = bear
Irish (Gaeilge)	mathúin [ˈmˠahuːnʲ] = bear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mathan [ˈmahan] = bear
Manx (Gaelg)	maghouin = bear

Etymology: from the Old Irish math (good) and gamuin (calf) [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Welsh (Kymraec)

Herons

Cockerels / Roosters

Hens & Chickens

Hound Dogs

Ants

Mice

Squirrels

Deer

Cats

Bears